Idris Elba Is The Frontrunner For Roland Deschain In 'The Dark Tower,' Matthew McConaughy In Talks For Man In Black

The ambitious, long developing “The Dark Tower” is finally starting to take shape. Last we heard, Matthew McConaugheyhad been offered both Roland the gunslinger, and Padick aka The Man In Black, but it looks like he’s settled on his preferred role, while another big name is being touted for the lead.

Deadline reports that Idris Elba is now the frontrunner for Roland Deschain. That said, no formal offer has gone out, but if this all works out the way Sony and Media Rights Capital hope it will, he would face McConaughey’s Man In Black. That’s a pretty great duo to kick off the first movie, written and directed by Nikolaj Arcel (“A Royal Affair“), that will launch a multi-film series that will be complemented with a TV show. So yes, another universe you will have to commit to, but better this than Universal’s monster thing, right?

More casting to come including The Gunslinger, as the picture gears up to get moving in time for its release on January 13, 2017.